One of my favorite things about living in Jordan, is that I have access to herbs that aren’t available in DC. Za’atar leaves, for example, are pretty much everywhere here in Jordan. When I lived in DC, I craved these za’atar leaves. I wanted them so badly, so I could use them in recipes like Fresh Zaatar Focaccia. Now, I’ve got the goods, and I intend to use them for nothing other than deliciousness. First item of business, Savory Fresh Herb Za’atar Muffins.

Let me tell you a little bit about za’atar. Incase you haven’t noticed, dried za’atar blend has become mainstream in America. Not quite at a competitive level with hummus, but give it a few years and I wouldn’t be surprised if the local grocery store starts carrying jars of za’atar in the spice aisles. Mind you, it’ll probably be packaged up really small, and overpriced for the amount you get. Major Pro-tip, go to your local Middle Eastern market and you can pick up a 16oz bag of za’atar for a much better deal.

What is Za’atar?

Za’atar is a group of middle eastern herbs from the oregano, thyme and savory families. Specifically, wild za’atar (the most popular here in the middle east) is “Origanum syriacum,” most closely linked to oregano. It’s an aromatic herb that grows in the wild and harvested. Za’atar is traditionally dried in the sun and mixed with salt, sesame seeds and sumac to create a distinctive flavor used for dipping with olive oil, spread over fluffy bread to create mana’eesh, or used as a spice for cooking. The fresh, leaves, however, can be used to make Zaatar Bread (Fatayer Zaatar), and other savory goodies, like these za’atar twists.

When I first moved into my apartment, my neighbor gifted me a jar of homemade dried za’atar. I’m not going to lie, it’s the best za’atar I’ve ever had. I’ve been savoring every last bit of it. I had to get my hands on fresh za’atar leaves, so I could start working on my own recipes. I made my way to the khaimeh (tent), this adorable tent near the community mosque that sells produce. Everyday, year-round, rain or shine, and it’s walking distance from my apartment, and picked up a massive bunch of za’atar — and I’ll be honest, I couldn’t stop myself from smelling them. They’re so aromatic; you want to eat them straight off the stems!! I couldn’t wait to start using them up in a recipe.